Local News

The Burger King facility in Watseka closed its doors last Monday, leaving an empty store-front on Walnut Street. Next door to the restaurant, however, the former Dawgs building is ready for a new tenant. Un-official word is that a Mexican taco outlet is preparing to move in.

Iroquois Development Association (IDA) Director Ken Barragree told the County Board recently the owner of the former Scotchmons West store in Watseka is on the verge of re-opening. Interior upgrades are in the works and new fuel pumps have been installed.

A Kankakee gang member was found guilty of attempted first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. Luis Bello faces at least 31 years in prison for the attempted murder conviction. The 27-year-old is also looking at another three years for possession of a stolen firearm. State’s Attorney Jim Rowe said Bell’s maximum time in prison could be 69 years.

The verdict came Monday following a bench trial before Judge Kathy Bradshaw-Elliott in Kankakee County court.

Kankakee police report the weekend shooting death of 25-year-old Luis Martinez is being investigated as a homicide. Autopsy results showed Martinez suffered at least one gunshot wound. He was found dead Sunday at a residence on Hickory Street.

A suburban South Holland resident faces drug charges following a traffic stop by Illinois State Police. 20-year-old Trammel Worley was arrested for Possession of Cannabis and Illegal Possession of Alcohol by a minor. A State Trooper stopped a vehicle on I-57 for speeding in excess of 110 mph. A search of the vehicle revealed 36 grams of pot, drug paraphernalia and alcohol.

Two separate weapons convictions has two Kankakee men sentenced to federal prison. 23-year-old Robert Scott III has been ordered to spend to six years for being a convicted felon in possession of firearms. And 25-year-old David Sanders was sentenced to 18-months. He pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen firearm, reported stolen from Bradley.

In Urbana, U.S. District Court Judge Colin Bruce ruled that Scott was trafficking firearms. Scott sold seven guns during a four-month period to undercover Project Safe Neighborhood Task Force agents. Scott was arrested on Feb. 2 in Kankakee. He had a previous felony robbery conviction.

Sanders was arrested on Dec. 9, 2016. He had been in custody of the U.S. Marshals since Dec. 14.

The cases were the result of ongoing investigations related to gun violence in the Kankakee area.